After a fruitful campaign in Monaco, Ernest John Obiena promises to be more mindful of wind condition when he travels with training partner and defending Olympic champion Thiago Braz da Silva to Poland next week.
This is when the 24-year-old Obiena will next see action with da Silva in the World Athletics Continental Tour/Europe Silver in Chorzow, Poland this Tuesday.
“I would probably do one in Poland on the 25th,” said the 6’2” Obiena in an online discussion.
This will be Obiena’s fourth campaign in an outdoor setting after settling for the silver medal behind da Silva in the virtual pole vault meet of FineGuard last Sunday.
He will have to be more attentive to changes in the condition of the wind while in Poland.
When, Obiena immediately plunged into action upon returning to Formia, Italy, and cleared 5.6 meters, wind conditions became a factor on his performance.
“Unpredictable direction ng malakas na hangin at apektado ang talon nila. Isa yan sa maaring maulit na condition sa laro kaya kailangan niyang matutunan mag-adapt,” said Obiena’s dad Emerson following long distance talks with his son.
Being aware of winds will help Obiena improve his performance.
“Hindi madaling gawin ngunit kailangan,” said Emerson.
After settling for the bronze in Monaco last Friday, Obiena settled for the silver medal in the virtual pole vault meet of FineGuard last Sunday.
Da Silva, who is seeking to retain his crown in the Tokyo Olympics, claimed the gold medal with a 5.7-meter performance during the virtual meet.
Their rivals, Matt Ludwig and Pawel Wojciechowski had clearances of 5.35 meters and 5.20 meter for the bronze and fourth place respectively while in Poland.
Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association Philip Ella Juico, who was in communication with Obiena, said this is an alternative to plans to go to the Stockholm leg of the Diamond League.
Juico explained that athletes from neighboring Scandinavian tournament have been invited to go to the Swedish capital.
And he feels that this has something to do with the situation concerning the coronavirus pandemic in Europe.
“Because of the pandemic, they are just going to nearby areas to compete,” said Juico.